President Reagan stamp rolled out at ceremonies nationwide

Published: Thursday, February 10, 2005

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Reagan's famous smile and blue eyes shine from a new postage stamp issued Wednesday in ceremonies across the country. It's the latest in an already high stack of honors bestowed on the former president since his death eight months ago.

The new stamp shows Reagan's smile, tilt of head and twinkle of eye in a way that captures the "warmth, personality and humanity of Ronald Reagan," James Miller, chairman of the Postal Service board of governors, told a crowd of about 200 at an unveiling ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

An oversize display of the U.S. postage stamp that will honor former President Ronald is seen in this Nov. 9, 2004 file photo, in Simi Valley, Calif. The nation's 40th president joins the list of people honored on a U.S. postage stamp Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005 with special ceremonies across the country. While a single site suffices for most new stamp ceremonies, official events are being held at in Washington, Simi Valley and Sacramento, Calif. and in Dixon, IL, Reagan's childhood home. About 500.

The celebrants were shown a video tribute to the former president that noted he wrote more than 10,000 letters during his lifetime. Lee Greenwood sang the national anthem and Crystal Gayle sang a medley of patriotic songs.

The official first-day-of-issue site for the commemorative stamp was at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, Calif.

But, while a single site suffices for most new stamps, official ceremonies also were being held at the California state Capitol in Sacramento and in Dixon, Ill., childhood home of the 40th president, as well as at the Reagan building in Washington. Stamp dedication events also were taking place in Florida, Missouri, Montana and Texas.

The post office has 170 million of the new 37-cent stamps on hand and is also offering a series of Reagan collectables.

Miller, who served as head of the Office of Management and Budget under Reagan, recalled the former president as a down-to-earth man.

Once, when Congress and the president couldn't agree on a budget and the government was faced with a shutdown, Miller said, "he turned to me and said, 'Jim, Jim, just settle down. Let's close 'er down and see if anybody notices.'"